One of the earlier sketches to illustrate The Nobodies, imagined as 'saint-like rebels' for Faeryville - the movie. This piece existed even before the actors were cast. Taurus seen here with dreadlocks and home-made 'popcorn'. CK seen here with cast on his arm with Poe and his messy hair.

Tzang Merwyn Tong, will be making an appearance at the Singapore Writers Festival's Fringe: 'Once Upon A Time', this November at The Arts House at The Old Parliament, for the screening of his 2005 film, A WICKED TALE.

Now in its 16th glorious year, the annual Singapore Writers Festival has grown to become a major literary festival on the international writing scene. Authors in attendance include Jung Chang, author of the wildly successful and critically acclaimed book Wild Swans, British poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy and pro-wrestler (turned successful author) Mick Foley.

The 45 minute A Wicked Tale, written and directed by Tzang Merwyn Tong (dir. V1K1 - a techno fairytale), will be featured alongside the other work of surreal masters, Jean Cocteau's Beauty & the Beast and Catherine Breillat's Barbe Bleue (Bluebeard), La Belle Endormie (Sleeping Beauty).

A Wicked Tale is a psycho-erotic re-imagination of the Little Red Riding Hood fable, told through a series of uncanny and surreal montages. It relates a little girl's bizarre fascination for the forbidden and deals with the theme of seduction and manipulation.

This experimental thriller made its world premiere to a full house crowd at the 34th International Film Festival Rotterdam; became a surprise hit at the 9th Montreal FanTasia Film Festival; and won the Gold Remi Award (Fantasy/Horror Category) at the 44th Houston WorldFest.

Keeping with his brand of alternative cinema, Tzang is currently working to complete his dystopian feature film, titled Faeryville. More information about Faeryville - the movie.

SWF FRINGE - "Once Upon A Time"
Screening of A WICKED TALE
w/ director in attendance

FOR the first time, a work-in-progress movie will debut at the upcoming Southeast Asian Film Festival organised by and held at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM).

FRVL, a coming-of-age story about college misfits fighting to find themselves in the increasingly surreal world they live in, is the second feature by local underground filmmaker Tzang Merwyn Tong.

Its rough cut will be shown for free on the closing day of the three-week festival, curated once again by prominent film critic Philip Cheah and veteran arts administrator Teo Swee Leng.

Mr Cheah said: "Based on Tzang Merwyn Tong's 2005 film A Wicked Tale, we know that he is an interesting director. FRVL has been seven years in the making and this work-in-progress screening gives him a chance to gather more support, and will give audiences an insight into how a project evolves."

SAM director Tan Boon Hui said: "SAM has always supported the creative development of Singapore artists and filmmakers by providing a platform for them to engage with audiences and industry players. The screening of this work-in-progress film will be an opportunity for the director to garner direct audience response as he completes his film."